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KABUL, Jan 10: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali is due to arrive here on Monday on his first visit to Afghanistan. In his day-long visit, the prime minister is scheduled to meet President Hamid Karzai and former king Mohammad Zahir Shah , foreign ministry officials and Pakistani diplomats said.
"The government of Afghanistan looks forward with enthusiasm to Mr Jamali's first visit to the country," foreign office spokesman Omar Samad told Dawn.
Mr Samad said talks between the two sides were likely to focus onsecurity issues in the backdrop the fight against terrorism, Pakistan's role in the reconstruction of Afghanistan and trade relations between the two countries.
A delegation led by Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz is due to arrive here on Sunday to discuss trade and economic relations.
The delegation will attend the third two-day Pakistan-Afghanistan joint ministerial conference to review the progress on the $100 million Pakistani assistance for the reconstruction of the country.
Mr Samad said Kabul would hold "substantive and constructive" talks with Prime Minister Jamali.
The spokesman said the two sides would discuss the issues of Pakistani prisoners in Afghanistan and Afghan prisoners in Pakistani jails, held mostly on charges of illegal stay in the country.
Pakistan's ambassador here, Rustam Shah Mohmand, said the prime minister's visit would strengthen social, political and economic relations between the two countries.
He confirmed that Mr Jamali would seek President Karzai's help in getting released the hundreds of Pakistanis held in Afghan prisons. He saidthe prime minister would also discuss the issue of Afghan prisoners in Pakistan.
It is learnt that Pakistan has offered to build a 'Jinnah kidney centre'and information technology block in the Kabul University.
Pakistan would also offer opening of new entry and exit points at borders between the two countries, sources said.
TRADE ACCORD: The prime minister would also oversee the signing of a trade promotion accord with Afghanistan, Mr Aziz told Dawn on Saturday, our staff reporter in Islamabad adds.
The minister said he would lead a 10-member delegation, that would include the economic affairs secretary, the State Bank governor, the National Bank president and representatives of the Central Board of Revenue and the commerce, communications and railways ministries.
He said the joint conference would discuss disbursement of the remaining part of the $100 million aid, of which around $23 million had been released.
The disbursement would be made as project aid to cover the construction of the Jalalabad-Torkham road, for which contract has been awarded, a Kandahar-Chaman railway link, commodity assistance and support in health and education.
Pakistan is likely to seek more licences for its banks to open branches in Afghanistan, including outside Kabul.
The two side are also expected to discuss a training package for Afghan bankers and other professionals by Pakistan.
The minister said the committee would also discuss the Afghan transit trade agreement, under which Afghanistan is seeking end to the negative list of exportable items through Pakistan.
Pakistan removed six items from the list on Friday.
